Belconnen United 4 (Bronte Pyke 30’, Nicole Jalocha 33’, Michaela Day 55’, Leah Carnegie 82’) def. Gungahlin United 0

By Jakob Gisik

Federation Cup celebrations and a week off have the potential to slow down most teams.

But Belconnen United aren’t like most teams.

The Blue Devils continued their unbeaten run in all competitions this year, defeating Gungahlin United 4-0 at McKellar Park on Saturday afternoon.

Belconnen started slowly in their first outing since their Federation Cup triumph two weeks ago, as Gungahlin dominated territory and possession in the opening 10 minutes.

It was the home side that created the first chance of the match though, as Nicole Jalocha brushed past her marker and fired a low shot on target, but her effort was well blocked by Kailey Tonini in goals.

Belconnen began to control the game from the back and their consistent pressure eventually paid off in the 30^th minute.

A lofted ball forward looked easy pickings for the Gungahlin defence, but miscommunication between Maddy Perceval and Tonini opened the door for Bronte Pyke, who tapped the loose ball into an open net.

The Blue Devils grabbed their second just three minutes later when Jalocha again broke through the Gungahlin defence, outmuscled her marker and hit a shot into the bottom right corner.

Despite dominating possession, the visitors failed to test Belconnen goalkeeper Sally James in the first-half, as the Blue Devils took a 2-0 lead into the break.

Any chance of a Gungahlin comeback was snuffed out 10 minutes into the second stanza, after Michaela Day, who started the game at right-back, pushed forward and curled a lovely shot into the bottom corner from the top of the penalty area.

The Belconnen defence continued to make life difficult for the Gungahlin front three, who struggled to impose themselves in the absence of Elke Aitolu.

Jalocha made way for Leah Carnegie in the 76^th minute and the Belconnen replacement needed just five minutes to have an impact; tapping home a low cross from Maddy Whittall to put the result beyond doubt.

Ella Brown had a late chance to peg one back for Gungahlin after working her way into the box following a nice one-two with Nat De Marco, but her resulting shot flew straight into the waiting arms of James.

That would be Gungahlin’s final opportunity of the match, as the Blue Devils ran out the clock to record their ninth clean sheet of the NPLW season.

They’ll now travel to Kambah to face a much-improved Tuggeranong United side on Saturday, while Gungahlin will be hoping to bounce back against Woden-Weston FC on Sunday.

 

Canberra United Academy 6 (Hayley Taylor-Young 26’, 57’, 70’, Sasha Grove 64’, Isabel Mulhall 85’, Charli Mitchell 90’) def. Wagga City Wanderers 2 (Rachel Lyon 22’, Christina Grauer-Kompos 72’)

The Canberra United Academy overcame a resilient Wagga City outfit at Hawker, scoring five second-half goals to boost them into second spot.

Key moments |

Quick exchange: Wagga City got on the front foot and scored through a lovely Rachel Lyon effort from the edge of the area, but Hayley Taylor-Young struck just four minutes later to restore parity at the break.

In the lead: The second half started evenly, but Taylor-Young grabbed her second goal 12 minutes in to the half, and seven minutes after that they had doubled the advantage through Sasha Grove.

Hat-trick: Taylor-Young couldn’t be stopped and with 20 minutes to play she netted her hat-trick goal, but Wagga City responded immediately through a goal to Christina Grauer-Kompos.

Finishing touches: There was still time for more action, and two goals in the space of five minutes from Isabel Mulhall and Charli Mitchell put the ribbon on a strong performance from the Academy.

Next up |

The Academy play Canberra FC in a rescheduled game on Thursday night before having the weekend off, while Wagga City will host Canberra FC on the weekend in Wagga Wagga.

 

Tuggeranong United 2 (Alice Linn 24’, Sophie Bui 35’) def. Monaro Panthers 1 (Mena Biscotti 40’)

Tuggeranong United returned to winning ways in Round 12, scoring twice in the first half to record a 2-1 victory over the Monaro Panthers.

Key Moments |

Linn finds the opener: A Tuggeranong attack off a throw-in saw the hosts win a corner, and when the set piece was floated in it was misjudged by the backline allowing Alice Linn to crash the ball home from close range.

Bui doubles the lead: With Monaro pinned in their own half, an errant shot found Sophie Bui on the edge of the area and she turned her defender before beating another and firing past the keeper.

Monaro get one back: With five minutes to go until half-time the Panthers launched forward on the break, and Natinah Skinner cut back inside to shoot. Her initial effort slipped under the keeper and Mena Biscotti was first to the ball to knock it in and give the Panthers a lifeline.

That was as close as they got though, with Tuggeranong seeing the game out to record their fourth win of the season.

Next up |

Monaro will have the weekend off having already played their clash with the Canberra United Academy, while Tuggeranong take on the task of hosting Belconnen United at Kambah.

 

Canberra Olympic 1 (Emma Finch 59’) def. by Canberra FC 6 (Mel Bunker 16’, 27’, Brittany Palombi 39’, 56’, Vanessa Ryan 83’, 88’)

Canberra FC scored three goals in either half to run over Canberra Olympic at O’Connor in their round 12 meeting.

Bunker blitz: Mel Bunker struck twice in 12 minutes to get Canberra FC off the mark, the first a lovely turn and volley inside the area and the second a last touch on the goal line.

Third of the half: Brittany Palombi scored Canberra FC’s third of the first half as she followed in an effort that was initially saved, and that saw Nik Brozinic’s side take a 3-0 lead into half-time.

One each: Palombi added the visitors fourth from the penalty spot 11 minutes into the half, but Emma Finch pulled one back for Olympic minutes later with a lovely solo effort as Olympic pushed forward on the break.

Ryan double: Canberra FC weren’t finished though, and Vanessa Ryan added a quickfire double in the final ten minutes to seal the result at 6-1; the first from a nice setup by Bunker and the second as she pounced on a loose ball inside the area.

Next up |

Canberra FC make the trek out to Wagga Wagga next weekend to face the Wanderers at Gissing Oval, where as Olympic take a week off to rest with the bye.